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By Mrs. Agosta and Mrs. Page
Top 5 World Religions
Religion
Believers are called…
Christianity (2.1 billion)
Christian
Islam (1.5 billion)
Muslim
Hinduism (900 million)
Hindu
Buddhism (376 million)
Buddhist
Sikhism (23 million)
Sikh
DON’T WRITE
Definition

A set of beliefs about the nature of the
universe, the existence of one or
more gods, and the meaning of life.

A set of customs related to the
worship of god(s) and rules for
proper conduct.

Religious Concepts:
 Creation
 Salvation
I. Polytheism

Definition= belief in many gods
Most early religions were
polytheistic.

Prehistoric cave paintings show
polytheistic religious practices.

A. Animism
•
Animism is a term used to categorize
a plethora of traditional religions
found throughout the world.
Animists worship nature and
believe all living things have
spirits and souls.
 They believe their ancestors
watch over them from the spirit
world.

It’s the oldest belief system still
practiced today.
 Examples of Animists:
Native North Americans
African tribes
Voodoo in the Carribean

There is no
sacred text. Most
cultures have
strong
storytelling (oral)
traditions.
 Ceremonies are
conducted by a
Shaman

An early 20th century Igbo 'medicine man' in
Nigeria, West Africa. Igbo people, also
referred to as the Ibo(e) are an ethnic group
living chiefly in southeastern Nigeria.
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Animists believe in a world of spiritual
powers- gods (creators), demons (destroyers),
the forces of nature, the deceased (ancestors),
and the living (healers or witches). Through
rituals, sacrifices and trance, these powers can
be influenced.
B. Shintoism


Shintoism focuses
on nature and
ancestor worship.
Shinto is the
traditional religion
in Japan.

Believe all living things have spirits,
called Kami. Everything from
landforms to people have Kami.
Shinto worship takes
place in shrines at
sites of impressive
natural beauty (like
waterfalls or
mountains).
 The entrance to these
shrines is a red
gateway called a torii.

Mr. and Mrs. Page at Disney World
Torii Gate, Miyajima Island
Torii Gate in Winter
C. Other Polytheistic Religions



Ancient River Valley
Civilizations
Ancient Greek gods
lived on Mt. Olympus
Ancient Roman
Pantheon was
similar to Greek
gods but with Latin
names
Religions of India
Religion
Percentage in India
Hindu
82.6%
Islam
11.4%
Christian
2.4%
Sikh
2.0%
Buddhist
.7%
Jain
.5%
DON’T WRITE
A. FACTS


About 80% India is Hindu.
There’s no founder, no unified
set of beliefs, and no formal
religious leaders.


Hindus may
worship at a
shrine, temple, at
home or outside.
The Ganges River
is considered
sacred.
B.
BELIEFS
1. Brahman



The all-powerful, spiritual
force in everything.
It’s like the world’s soul.
Hindus worship many gods
that represent the many forms
of Brahman:
1.
2.
3.
Brahma –the Creator
Vishnu- the Preserver
Shiva- the Destroyer
2. Reincarnation



Def: Rebirth of the
soul in another form
A person’s soul
never dies. It
reappears after
death in another
person or animal.
Symbol: wheel of life
3. Moksha




Def: The end of the reincarnation
cycle
The soul is free of pain and
merges with Brahman.
It’s like heaven and is the goal of
Hindus.
It cannot be achieved in one
lifetime. One must go through
reincarnation.
4. Karma
Def: Actions in this life that
determine your status in the next
life.
GOOD deeds = HIGHER status in next life
BAD “ “ = LOWER “ “ “
“

5. Dharma



Def: Religious and moral duties
done in this life to acquire merit
for the next life.
These vary based on class
(caste), gender, job and age
You must overcome your own
desires to do your duty.
6. The Caste System

It’ s a rigid social
class system in
Hindu society. You
are born into your
caste and cannot
change it until you
are reincarnated!
6. Ahimsa


Def: non-violence
All people and things are aspects
(parts) of Brahman and should be
respected
UN Declares Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth
Anniversary As “International NonViolence Day”
The United Nations General Assembly has
decided to declare October 2 - the birth
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi—as
‘International Day of Non-Violence’ in
recognition of his role in promoting the
message of peace around the world.
544c
7. Sacred Texts



The Vedas
The Upanishads
The Mahabharata
(the Bhagavad Gita is the most famous
part)

The Ramayana